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Friday, January 01, 2010

quilts of 2009

Happy New Year, friends! I really like the new year. It's a good time to reflect on the past year and to look forward to what's ahead.

Looking back....You know you made a lot of quilts when you can barely fit them into one mosaic.I finished a total of 44 quilts last year. I'll be the first to admit: that. is. insane. If I weren't me, I don't think I'd like me very much. :)

Looking ahead....This was a very hard decision to make, but this will be my last post on crazymomquilts. When I started this blog I had no idea where it would lead. It's been an amazing journey that has been exhilarating at times. It has provided me opportunities that I never would have dreamed of: working with moda on the bakeshop, being published, and teaching at a retreat in CO. It has also been a lot of work. Anyone who keeps a blog knows what I'm talking about. It's been such a big part of my life for over 3 years, but I know that it's time for me to move on. My husband and I joke that I am resigning from my full time unpaid position as quilt blogger, but that's what it feels like. I'm not sure what I'm going to do next, but I am excited about what's ahead. It really is bittersweet.

A few notes of business to wrap up...

I have closed my P.O. Box, so anything that has been mailed to me at that address will be forwarded to me, but it is no longer my current address.

I had many questions about the tide is high/lazy summer days quilt pattern. I haven't decided for certain yet, but I may share the instructions for the quilt over on flickr sometime after January 31.

I plan to keep my blog up as is as a resource. I'm not sure for how long, but I guess at this time, indefinitely.

You are my favorite quilting blog as well. Thank you for all the inspiration and information. My question is: is the blog, as it is now, going to still be available as a resource? I still want to make the star quilt and am wondering if I should print all those tutorials out!

Oh, you will be missed! I understand the decision, definitely. This must have been a big part of your life, in both meaning and time. Best of luck to you and your family in 2010 and the years to come. Thank you for sharing your love of quilting with us. You have inspired many, many people.

I've been a lurker but I've been reading for some time now. Good luck to you in the new year and beyond. I've bookmarked your flickr stream. You are truly an inspiration...thank you so much for this blog. I've learned so much and am finally working up the nerve to make my baby cousin a quilt. :)

I am sorry to see you go but understand the need to devote the time to something else important to you. I have enjoyed your blog and you have had a big impact on my creative journey as a quilter this year.

So sorry to see you go, but completely understand the need to focus your energies elsewhere. You are a real inspiration. 44 quilts you have quilted yourself (wow!) but the tally of quilts that you have inspired and encourage in those who read your blog soars way above that! Good luck, and take care.

no! no! NOOOO-!oh well, you know what you need to do.best of luck, you are an amazingly creative and talented woman and i will really miss your blog very much. it is a highlight in my day to see what you've been working on and i'm inspired to get going on quilt #2 soon.

Oh I am going to miss you! I feel sad! But I understand that you come first as does your family! I really appreciate all that you have taught me....not directly but through your tutorials! Thank you!! I hope things will continue to go well in for you in the future!

Your blog was my favourite quilting site as well. I started quilting about a year and a half ago after coming across your blog and scouring it's archives. Informative and inspiring, it will continue to be a great resource even though you are no longer posting. (You will be missed though!) See you on Flickr!

Oh! You will be dearly missed! You have taught me so much about quilting and are a main source of inspiration for me. yours was one of the first blogs I ever truly loved! I hope life brings you many great blessings and lots of time for crafting!

Bah humbug! I love your blog. It has really inspired me to start trying new things with my beginner's quilting skills. You will be missed. Thanks for leaving things up so I can come back to them. There are many of your patterns and things that I want to attempt. Thanks for all the inspiration. I'll have to check things out on flickr!

really is bittersweet. I think changes are always good and although I'll miss read your blog a lot (but a lot!) (yours was the first blog of quilts that I discovered), I'm sure this decision will be well.thanks for sharing so much information, for letting us see your creative side! you are very talented and very generous!I embrace you with love!

Huh? I didn't see that coming..but I understand. Blogging takes tons of time. I hope you have a wonderful 2010. I sincerely hope that it wasn't "one" person or negetive comment that caused this....You were one of the very first blogs I followed...your quilt along..hmm glad you are leaving it up for awhile.

Thank you thank you. Your posts have been amazing and inspiring. I'm so sorry to see you go but I do understand. Thanks for thinking of us an leaving your blog up as a resource. I'm sure I'll be referring to it often. Good luck in all your future endeavors. Best wishes.

I'm so sad that you won't be blogging anymore - yours was the first quilting blog I starting following, you and remain one of my favorites. That being said, I definitely understand the work that goes into it, and get that you can't do it forever. I'm glad I can still follow your work on flickr. :) Best of luck in the new year!

You have made me a better quilter. Thank you for your humour, tutelage, generous sharing of ideas and getting a peek at your beautiful quilts! Best of luck with all your future endeavours - Happy New Year & God Bless!!

I really can't blame you AT ALL for quitting your charity blog! But I am so disappointed. I look forward to your blog updates every time I log on and will definitely miss them. I'm glad you're leaving the blog up as a resource... it is an amazing one - your quilting is inspirational.

And as an aside, I must thank your for recommending "The Modern Quilt Workshop" online. My mom (a total non-crafter in every sense) read your blog through mine and bought me the book for Christmas. I don't know where to start, but she's definitely getting a Christmas quilt out of it next year.

Enjoy your New Year. I will keep my eye out for your work in the quilting community. And thank you for all the beautiful quilts and colors.

You have been such an inspiration to me this year. Thank you so much for all your hard work, time and effort maintaining this blog. I never would have started quilting without it. Good luck and best wishes for all that is in store for you in the coming years; you deserve success beyond measure and a fabric stash with no limit!

While I'm sad you aren't blogging anymore, as I just found you recently, I will follow your feed on Flickr, and hope you leave the blog intact for those of us who use it for inspiration in our quilt journeys.

I love and support you, dear friend! I toast you (with my coffee) and am excited for you for tucking in CMQ.

Happy 2010 and all that it will bring - and I'm grateful for 2009 - the year we became friends! Thank you for your friendship, inspiration, the stash busting, the fabric shopping, the long walks while we talked (I couldn't help that) and being a major factor in turning so many on to quilting! Thank you dear friend, xoxo, m

This breaks my heart. You have been such an inspiration to me, and I will miss you and all your wonderful projects. I hope you have a fantastic year, and I hope you keep this blog up for reference for a long time. Thank you so much for all the ideas and help.

I see that I am not the only one who is sorry to see you go! Thank you for all the wonderful posts and pictures! And thank you for keeping the site up as a resource for all of us out here in Blogland!Take care of yourself and maybe you will even want to check-in once in a while...a quick post full of all the quilts you have made with all your spare time!Tricia

You truly are the reason I started quilting again. I stumbled onto your quilt after googling binding tips, as I couldn't remember how to after a 10 year break in quilting. From there I started reading your blog and others and have become hooked on quilting again. I loved your blog and all its useful information and will be sad not to see new and inspiring ideas. Are you sure you want to leave us all hanging....maybe once a month updates...please...hate to see you leave but understand at the same time. Good luck with your future endeavours, may you continue to create and inspire many more, enjoy your family too!

[sharp intake of breath] O my goodness!!! What will I do without CrazyMomQuilts? You have been such a source of inspiration for me in recent months in my quilting journey; when I found your blog a few months ago, I went back and read ALL of your blog posts.

But I certainly understand that you must do what is best for you and your family. I am guessing you will continue to do things like contribute to Moda Bakeshop, teach at retreats, and publish. I will add you as a contact over on flickr.

oh wow! i am going to really miss your blog. your posts have been so helpful and inspiring. best of luck to you in the future. i hope your new found free time is productive and you are able to enjoy it immensely.

So sad to hear that you won't be blogging anymore...yours was the first quilting blog I followed and you were such a great support while I made my first quilts...I have since used many of your tutorials to help me along the way. Thank you so much for your time! Thanks also for keeping your blog up as a resource for us!

I'm going to miss you but I totally understand. Real life takes over .... I'm happy for you that you are taking more time for yourself and your family. I have many tutorials saved in my favorites so I'm sure I'll be back many, many times even though you won't be here (sniff, sniff).

Wow... this makes me so very sad! I will miss your blog very much, it is always such an inspiration to me! I totally understand that you would want more time for your family though, quilt making is one hard and time consuming thing to do and you really do churn those babies out!!! Not to mention what it must be doing to your shoulders/wrists! thank you so much Amandajean... I have been reading your blog since you started it and you have inspired me more than I can say! Best wishes to you in whatever you decide to do!xoxAmy

P.S- Amandajean have you considered doing a blog in a more commercial fashion, with paid advertising and sponsers etc? I would think you would definitely have enough traffic on your blog to make a decent amount of money out of it? You have the most amazing quilt blog on the net and it would be such a shame to see it go (people wouldn't love you any less if you wanted to make some money from it- or if you wanted to update less frequently)Gosh look at me trying to convince you to stay!xox

I want to thank you so much for your amazing blog. Your blog was the first I visited and you have been so inspiring. You are one of the reasons why I started quilting. You are so tallented at writing, teaching, and design. I wish you well. And thanks again.

Thank you for your blog. It has, over time, become my one-stop shop for ideas, patterns, color schemes, and general quilting inspiration. Thanks for all your hard work and for being so devoted to your loyal fans. We should each make a block to thank you!

What a shame... but fair enough. You've got to do what you've got to do. I'd like to thank you for getting me started on the whole quilting thing... you were one of the first quilting blogs I stumbled across and you inspired me to get a machine and try this whole weird quilting thing out.

Good luck, and like someone above me in the comments... maybe you could make some $$$ from it. You deserve to!

Yup, me too. As a longtime reader, you've just become a part of my life! :) I always click on you first and reread everytime, your humor comes through...besides I wouldn't have that sweet pink FMF if it weren't for you! My daughter and I "talk" about you all the time...ie.'did you see that cool quilt on crazymom today?', etc. I'd love to be able to come to Colorado this year, I found out my brother lives only 10 minutes from there! Thanks AmandaJean.

How sad for us, I really enjoyed your fresh young quilts however I understand your decision, especially as you have a young family. All the best for the future and thank you for sharing your lovely quilts with us.

Good luck in 2010! You have been a wonderful inspiration to me, and I am so sad to see you go, but cannot begin to imagine how hard this blog is. You are great at it, but your family is loads more important. I'm bookmarking your flickr account and will look in on you from time to time ... adios!

I certainly understand, but boy, am I sad. I just found you in December, and have been reading my way through past posts as an enormous inspiration...was going to get you put in my guild newsletter as a favorite thing so others would know about you. I'm a mostly traditional quilter, but you are really making me rethink that...I love your work, and find I am thinking in new ways, in new colors and solids, and with new energy. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart and the top of my creativity.

I really wish you the very best in 2010, I'm sad you have made this choie but wish you well in your new endevours. You have been very inspirational and I love you use of colour and style. You and your blog will be missed. :(

I am so very sad. You are LITERALLY my favorite blog! I get on the computer every morning and the first thing I do is check to see if you have any new posts up. I feel like there is going to be a gaping hole that you filled.

You inspired me, I used to think I was just too busy and that there was no way I could find time to quilt, but you showed me that a little here and a little there, great things can be accomplished.

I will miss the inspiration and the humor. Thanks for the year that I have "Known" you. I will miss you.

AmandaJeanI too will throw in my hat for "I have loved your blog". Altho I have remained blogless I have been an avid follower and you have been a terrific source of inspiration for me (or is that to me??). I will continue to follow you on Flicker..if I can figure our just how to do that but i wish you all the best and will look forward to what you will show us in the future.Best of everything, Ann

Oh, Amandajean, I feel like I've lost my best friend! I will surely miss you, but you know what's best for you. Thanks for the inspiration - I'll still keep your page on my list of favorites so I can refer back as needed. Good luck in all you do!

I have followed your blog every day for the last year! You have some very inspirational quilts and your designs are doable. I will miss you, AmandaJean. I'll certainly be following your flickr account.

I will miss your blog but I do understand the "work" involved and the pressure. Thank you for inspiring my own quilting adventures and good luck in '10! I'm sure I'll keep in touch (a.k.a. bug you) here and there! -Allison

Stunned and totally excited for you by this bold move. As much as I am sad about losing one of my favourite 'goto' places for quilting inspiration, I'm thrilled at the thought of how freeing it will feel for you. But I wonder if you'll be back. You're too 'famous' out there. I wonder if you've got something up your sleeve. Look forward to viewing your quilts on flickr. Take care...good luck, and way to go!!

I feel like I am losing my favorite co-worker. I don't post nearly as often as you and didn't make nearly as many quilts as you did so I can only imagine what a relief it will be for you to not have to 'show up for work every day'. I'm definitely make sure I have your flikr info because your quilts are always so beautiful and an inspiration. Good luck in your future endeavorers.

I am so sad and completely stunned. I always look forward to your posts. Each and every one was great!! You are truly an inspiration to many and will be sorely missed in the blogosphere. Good luck. Oh, and I can't forget to mention that I LOVED the collage of quilts...they are beautiful. Hopefully someday I'll be half as prolific as you are. Goodbye friend.

AJ, You will be sorely missed. I know you made a HUGE impact on me when I first began quilting about a year and a half ago...took the time to answer my questions via email about machines and such, and I learned so much looking at your tutorials.

Best of luck to you -- you are a great inspiration and your blog is one I check ALL the time!

I was suprised to read your blog today, but totally understand. It has been fun to read that you have inspired so many people who had the same reaction I did!! I first came across your blog a little more than a year ago. I was so inspired that I have used a few of your tutorials and have loved looking at what you have done. My first quilt was with Old Red Barn this summer. I'm happy to see you will be adding photos to flickr and I wonder, too, will you still have this blog as a resource?? Best wishes to you as you move on!

I'm very sorry to hear that you are shutting the blog down - you have been a huge guide for me in my fledgling quilting adventure. I constantly refer to your tutorials as I've never found a clearer set of instructions anywhere. You think like I do so they all just make sense.

I wish you nothing but luck from here on in, guess I will have to keep more up to date on my flickr account so I can still see your progress.

I was very sad when I read this post, but understand that you need to do what is best/right for you and your family. I've found your blog so inspirational, and do hope you're able to keep it up as a resource. I just finished my first coin quilt following your tutorial instructions, and am so happy with how it turned out! Good luck with your quilting this year! I look forward to seeing your new projects on flickr.

Ditto to many of the other comments. You're style one I love and you are my favorite quilting blog but I respect your choice and wish you all the best. I'm excited to continue to see what you post to flikr. Best wishes in the new year!

I'll miss you- I've really enjoyed your blog posts and found a lot of inspiration in your quilts and tutorials. Thank you, thank you, thank you for taking all the time for three years to share all of this with us. I understand the need to end it too- you have been so very generous with your time and ideas and pictures for years, and it would be awful for it to become a source of burnout for you. All the best to you, and thank you!

You are AMAZING - 44 beautiful quilts. I made one quilt in 2009 and was so proud of myself, I don't know how I would feel if I had made 44!

I wish I had started reading your blog earlier as I only found you 2009 and loved reading and being inspired by your quilty goodness.

I just had the conversation with my DH about whether or not to keep blogging as I am not sure if I could dedicate the time to my study, my stitching and my blog with 2 teenagers, their study, their hobbies and their social life too. So I understand where you are coming from.

Sorry to see you go, but family and real life must come first. You have been inspirational to me, but just because there are no new posts doesn't mean I won't be thinking about what came before. I have studied and learned so much from all of your quilts. Now when I go to a LQS, I am disappointed because so many of the patterns lack your freshness and modern asthetic. You've spoiled me!

Wow, I am so happy for you!! I really wish you all the best in 2010. You are so genersous and kind to have shared your life and knowledge with us for the past few years. Thank you for all you have shared! hugs... Jessica

I will miss your inspiring blog more than I can say. You've put so much thought and time into each post that I can only hope that letting it go will free you to stitch more (although it's hard to imagine how you do as much as you do much less how you could do more- amazing!). Thank you for sharing your creativity with all of us and all the very best in future.

Amandajean, Thanks for the inspiration from your blog. I too was a loyal reader/lurker. I have a blog that I barely pay attention to so I understand the time it takes. I just have to say what I loved about your blog was that it was really about quilting! You were selfless in your posts because you didn't try to promote anything but the love of quilting. I would still read your blog if you did make money from it though! I can tell you have your priorities in the right place and I really admire you for that! 44 quilts in one year is amazing! I have trouble finishing one without a deadline! Good luck in 2010. I will be watching for your quilts on flickr. Thanks!!

Well, I literately have tears :( I'm going to miss you soooo much. You've continually inspired me. I'd always wanted to learn to quilt and finally, after finding your blog, I started. I was just gathering my fabrics to start your star quilt so I'm really happy to know you'll leave the blog up for now.I'm sure the future holds many great opportunities for you as you are so very creative and talented. Thank you for all that you have shared {hugs}Karen

I'm going to miss you! Yours is the blog I visit everyday, and I've enjoyed your words of wisdom as I've begun my journey as a quilter. Best of luck to you and your future endeavors! I'll follow you on flickr!

And please, Please, PLEASE leave the blog up as a resource for as long as you can! I need to download all of your tips/tricks/patterns onto my hard drive!

Aw nuts. Well, we're all out here feeling sorry for ourselves, but hopefully you have some other sneaky thing waiting in the wings that you can't tell us about, like a book or a tv show or something really, totally awesome!

Three things that made it worth getting out of bed for - your blog, my quilty friend Cindi's multiple emails, and coffee.

Amanda Jean, I wanted to let you know you have been a great inspiration to me. I ran across your blog last year over Christmas, and saw all the lovely projects you had posted. Your blog encouraged me to stretch my quilting skills and gave me a reason to smile each day. God Bless you as you take a season of rest...and thank you for your generosity to share your love of quilting.

I echo everything that has already been said. Your blog with all your beautiful quilts and your tutorials has been such an inspiration. I wish you much success and happiness in whatever comes next....we'll still hear about your work in the quilt world, I know.

I'll add my voice to those that will really miss your blog posts. But I know now how much time a blog can eat! Thank you for all that you have shared, and I'll be hoping to find you in my area teaching at some point. Happy New Year!

I have sure loved following your blog this year...thanks for the inspiration and thanks for the quilt pattern I won in one of your giveaways....I just finished it last night! I made if for my son who LOVES orange. I'm happy to know that you'll be leaving your blog up for awhile - I come to it often for inspiration and tips. Thanks!!!Mandy

Good luck on the next step, AmandaJean! I have really enjoyed reading your blog since I discovered it, and I just added you as a contact on our flickr account so I can follow your quilting, which I love.

Dear Crazy Mom, I just got into this crazy world of quilting and blogging and love following you. I wrote a post on my blog about your blog just a few days ago. I'm so bummed!

Now... As a marketer and a business woman, I certainly hope that resigning from your non-profit full time position is because you've found a way to take your talent for writing and quilting to a money making venture! Good Luck to you. I will visit your blog frequently for tips and help.

So sorry to see you go. Your blog was part of my day for many months. I will really miss you. Thanks for agreeing to leave the blog open. All the best to you. You have so much talent and I am sure we will see you again.

I hope you know how much you will be missed! I have loved your blog and thanks to you, I'm not even ashamed of my stippling. Thanks for all the encouragment and inspiration! I'll miss your blog so much. Good luck to you and your family.

I've been a reader for a long time. I've never posted a comment, but I just had to tell you how much you're inspired me. I have learned so much from you. Thanks you. Lisa~ www.livingmybestlifeii-lisa.blogspot.com

I'm a brand new quilter, and in the past few months I've been so inspired by your designs, your work, and your love for life and family! I'll really miss you, and I pray all blessings for you in your next endeavors!Big, huge hugs to you, too.

Feel the love!!! Amazing!! You've given so much wonderfulness, that it's time to get some wonderfulness back for yourself! You surely deserve it, my friend! Thank you for everything!!! I'm here if you need me. Big hugs!

Thank you for creating this blog. I discovered it just a few months ago and you have really inspired me to do so much more with my quilts. I hope that you're able to keep the blog open for those of us who like to keep coming back to look at what you've done for inspiration.

HUGE bummer! I understand your need to stop, but you will be sorely missed! I've gotten so much inspiration from you! (& patterns!) Yes, please leave up your blog-we'd appreciate it so much! I'm really sad that there won't be any more new posts. :( Maybe after you take a long break you'll feel like coming back? :D

Amanda, so sorry to see that you will no longer be blogging, although I fully understand that being a "full time unpaid quilt blogger" is incredibly hard work, and almost not sustainable. You are a wonderful inspiration, and I know that you will find a way to make the most of all the opportunities that have come your way over the last 3 years, and I hope continue to share in your quilting journey through your Flickr Account.

Thank you for your contribution to all things quilting, and sharing information so selflessly.

I wish you a fantastic 2010, it is the beginning of a new and exciting chapter for you!

You will be sorely missed but I'm glad you're doing what's right for you. I appreciate all the work and the sharing not to mention the huge inspiration you've given. I'm thankful you'll keep the blog up for awhile and we can see your wonderful quilts on flickr. All the very best for all your future endeavours.

Thanks for sharing your wonderful talent and expertise with all of us. Best wishes and God bless you and your family in 2010!!

Will miss reading your blog, but your family and real life activities are more important to focus on than providing my "quilting fix" for the day/week.Again, thanks so much for sharing yourself and also for leaving the blog as a resource.

I know how hard of a decision this was for you my friend. We will have to keep up with each other outside of the blogosphere now. I will miss your inspiration and your enthusiasm that you have shared here. Love ya friend!

Oh, I am so sad. This was not the best thing to read first thing in the morning, that was why I didn't earlier.I want to thank you for keeping your blog up to this point. You have inspired me so much, I will miss that encouragement.God bless you and your future endeavors.

So sad to see you're closing the blog. I will miss seeing what your working on. My best to you with where ever you decide to take your quilting, your blog, and your new connections. Thanks for the all the inspiration!

I have to say, first, that I have never seen so many comments in one day, on a blog without a giveaway. I think it goes to show that you are loved and we love to see what you are up to next. You will be missed!Becky

I will most certainly miss your blog and your inspiration but certainly understand. I have always marveled at your voracious quilting speed! I wish you the best for whatever quilting holds for you next... I do look forward to following you on flickr and getting together sometime.

So sad to see you are closing your blog. Thanks for your inspiration, information and help. I will miss reading about the progress of your quilts. All the best with whatever you decide to do in the future. Good luck Carol

I am mostly a lurker, occassional commentor, but loyal reader! I always enjoy seeing what you have made. I hope there will be some way to know if you will be doing more workshops. I would really enjoy attending one. Best wishes and much success to you!

Wishing you all the best for 2010 and any new endeavors you pursue. I actually just happened upon your blog yesterday for the first time. I've been wanting to make our first child a handmade quilt and after exploring your blog, feel inspired and confident enough to give it a try. :) Thank you for this resource and for the inspiration found on these pages. All the best,Tegan

Wow - to add to my already melancholy feeling. Is it just the holidays? Anyway, Amanda even though I really hate the feeling of not reading your blog posts, I wish you all the best for your future undertakings.

Wow, what s shocker. I love to quilt vicariously though you. Thanks for all the inspiration you have given, you are truly amazing. I can't imagine the pressure that all of us readers put on you. I am sure that we will still see you in the quilt world!

Amanda you will be missed. A lot. Thanks so much for all your inspiration and quilting wisdom. You know I think you're amazing! I'll look forward to seeing your pretty quilts on flickr.May 2010 bring you and your family much happiness. xxxx